After the Burial
By: Justin March

“He is not here; he has risen!  Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee:  The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.” Luke 24: 6-7

As most of you know, I have a passion for music.  It can fuel my energy, it can soothe my chaos, and it can encapsulate my soul.  There are times the thunderous roar of the drums and the raging rhythms of the guitars pick me up and get me going.  And there are times where the angelic voices and hypnotic harmonies calm me down and bring me peace.  It has always been a staple in my life, and no matter what the day wants to throw my way, I have always found that music brings me back to a place of happiness and satisfaction.

So, as I found myself surrounded by the crowd of hungry heavy metal fans at Summit Music Hall last Wednesday night, I found myself in a state of bliss as the music moved through me.  Spiritbox, After the Burial, and Intervals were not bands I was familiar with, but after watching them all put on one amazing show, I was feeling thankful for the opportunity to attend.  Yet, as my buddy and I left the venue and headed back to the car, there was one phrase that kept running through my mind…..After the Burial.

When I think back on my life and reminisce about how events, people, and moments have shaped the person I am, the memories are often haunted by sorrow and heartache.  I can find myself dwelling on the negatives, and if I am not careful, I can drown in the woes of self-pity and shame.  And when I focus on the things that have had a damaging effect on my life, I often find myself buried in the trenches and struggling to find my way back to the surface.

I cannot change the past or erase the hardships I have endured, but I can bury those negative feelings and focus on the positive.  I can forgive the people who have hurt me, abandoned me, and made life difficult.  I can extend grace and try to put myself in their shoes.  And I can stop trying to figure out why they treated me the way they did and eradicate the self-pity I feel for enduring those broken relationships.  I must leave those feelings in the past so that After the Burial I can learn to nurture new friendships, love unconditionally, and be the man others need me to be.

I also cannot change the decisions that have brought me to this point along my journey.  Whether they were right or wrong, they have shaped who I am today, and have made me the person you currently see.  Instead of dwelling on the choices I feel were incorrect or mis-guided, I must focus on today and ask God where he needs me to be.  I must pray, listen, and follow his lead, so that After the Burial I can travel with a mission that is focused on him and be the disciple he needs me to be.

After the Burial.  It is a thought-provoking phrase and a good subject to think about.  When Jesus was crucified on that cross and buried in that tomb, it was not the end for him and his people.  It was the beginning to a new chapter, and After the Burial he still walks with us, he still loves us, and he still guides us along our journeys.

If Jesus could roll away that stone and live a life After the Burial, what can we do when we focus on him and bury the things that are weighing us down?  Can we move forward, spread light, and brings others closer to him if we just bury the burdens and let them lie in the past?  I believe we can, and if we live a life After the Burial that is positive and loving, maybe we can allow others to rise from the ashes and focus on a different mission for their lives as well.  Because when we really break it down and think about what happens after we take our last breath, it will be After the Burial that we begin a new chapter.  A chapter that eradicates the pain, erases the hurt, and brings us to that glorious home of our Savior.  Until then, let’s focus on loving one another, being inclusive, and extending grace so that After the Burial, we may see God and come to rest in his everlasting arms!